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NRA 'under siege' by New York investigation

04-29-2019, 03:47 PM

Trump says NRA 'under siege' by New York investigation

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The National Rifle Association is "under siege," President Donald Trump said Monday in response to New York state's decision to investigate the organization's status as a tax-exempt nonprofit.

(1 of 1) Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, speaks during an inauguration ceremony in New York. New York state’s attorney general has begun an investigation into the National Rifle Association. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Letitia James said Saturday, April, 27, 2019 that James’ office has issued subpoenas as part of an investigation related to the NRA. William A. Brewer, the NRA’s outside lawyer, said the NRA “will fully cooperate with any inquiry into its finances.” James, a Democrat, vowed during her campaign last year to investigate the NRA’s not-for-profit status if elected.

April 29, 2019 The Republican president accused state Attorney General Letitia James and her fellow Democrat, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, of breaking the law — though he did not specify which law — with the investigation into the gun-rights organization.
"The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the State's legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others," Trump tweeted. In a statement responding to Trump's tweet, James' office said she is focused "on enforcing the rule of law."
"In any case we pursue, we will follow the facts wherever they may lead," her office wrote. "We wish the President would share our respect for the law." James' office offered few details about the probe when it was announced Saturday, saying only that an investigation into the NRA had been launched and that subpoenas had been issued.
But last year she had vowed to investigate whether the organization deserves its tax-exempt nonprofit status. And an NRA lawyer said Saturday that it would cooperate "with any inquiry into its finances."
Cuomo, meanwhile, tweeted that Trump has "done nothing but tweet" about gun violence. "Unlike you, NY is not afraid to stand up to the NRA," he said. "As for the NRA, we'll remember them in our thoughts and prayers," appearing to mock an oft-cited reaction to mass shootings.
The state attorney general has oversight over nonprofit groups registered with the state and may seek to fine those who defraud donors, misuse charitable funds or violate the rules governing political activities by nonprofits. The NRA is based in Virginia but has an office in New York.
James' office has also opened a civil investigation into allegations by former Trump attorney Michael Cohen that Trump exaggerated his wealth to obtain loans. Her office is also overseeing a lawsuit alleging Trump used his charitable foundation for campaign purposes. The Trump Foundation reached a deal in December to fold and distribute about $1.7 million in remaining funds. James is seeking millions of dollars in additional restitution, as well as an order banning Trump and his three oldest children from running any New York charities for 10 years.

“The function of the law is not to provide justice or to preserve freedom. The function of the law is to keep those who hold power in power.” – Gerry Spence

In other news, the finances at the NRA are being reported as less than perfectly up-front and clean these days. I don't know if the shady dealings by NRA big-wigs came first, or if this investigation by Cuomo came first. It would be sweet if the politically motivated investigators only found weak claims about the NRA's finances, but I'm not confident that's how this will play out.

The comments from the usual corrupt NY talking heads are nauseating. When was the last time a department of the government was weaponized against liberal organizations? Am I so biased that I feel this kind of thing only goes in one direction, or is that the reality of the situation?